Archery range backstop



July 27, 1965 c. P SANZARE 3,197,207

ARCHERY RANGE BACKSTOP Filed April 14, 1964 INVENTOR.

CHARLES P. SANZARE,

BY 56 %m ATTORNEY United States Patent QOftice i My lvania Pmmgy Filed Apr. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 359,713

11 Claims. (Cl. 273-102A) This is a continuation-in-part of patent application No 262,399, filed March 4, 1963, entitled Archery Range, by the same inventor.

This invention relates to an archery range and, in particular, has application to an automated archery range. More particularly, this invention relates to the means for stopping the flight of an arrow shot 1n such a range.

The archery range backstop disclosed in this patent has particular usefulness in an archery range wherein the arrow passes through the target face and is stopped by a separate backstop means as, for example, is d sclosed in my co-pending application No. 262,329. While this is the contemplated main field of application of the invention, it is, of course, possible to paint, print, or otherwise provide a target face directly on the surface or the backstop means disclosed herein.

The problem of properly stopping an arrow, part cularly in an automatic range, is more complex than might be immediately apparent. It is necessary to stop an arrow safely and reliably, to avoid damaging the tip, feathers, or shaft of the arrow, or shattering it, to absorb the kinetic energy of the arrow in such a way that the arrow falls properly and in a desirable orientation insofar as possible so that it may be handled by a return mechanism, and to avoid excessive wear or damage to the backstop means itself. This must be accomplished with elements and construction of reasonable cost and with materials that are conveniently available.

Typically, an arrow may be provided with a shaft of wood, fiber reinforced resin, or hollow aluminum, and be provided with a steel tip. It may weigh between /2-oz. and 1-02. It may be fired with a bow having a pull of up to 70-lbs. (as an extreme) at a typical range of fill-feet from the target face. Under usual conditions, including those at much less than 70-lbs, pull, the arrow may impact at a speed of between l25-feet and 200- feet per second. Under these conditions, the required smooth energy absorption and controlled rebound must be attained. It has been found, for example, that a simple wall of various materials, including metal, does not serve the purpose. Even a metal wall tends to progressively deform under successive shots, and either be progressively destroyed itself, damage the arrow or the tips thereof, or start to deflect the rebounds at odd angles as the surface of the metal becomes dented and marked.

It is an object of this invention to provide an arrow backstop.

It is an object of this invention to provide a backstop for an archery range whereby arrows are stopped and rebounded.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an archery range backstop for an automatic archery range to smoothly and safely absorb the kinetic energy of arrows impacting thereon without significant penetration of said backstop by said arrows.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an archery range backstop to smoothly absorb the kinetic energy of arrows impacting thereon, comprising a plurality of staggered pendulum suspended pads.

Other aims and objects of this invention are made apparent in the following specification and claims.

The invention is best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the backstop;

FIGURE 1a is a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a pad;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a partially fragmented perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the pad suspension.

An important aspect of the structure herein disclosed is that the impacting arrow loses its kinetic energy with a very small, or sometimes substantially nonexistent, rebound. That is, the arrow strikes the backstop and then drops almost directly downwardly therefrom while maintaining substantially the same orientation. In practice, there has been found to usually be at least some small rebounding effect, but it is well within acceptable limits.

The backstop is generally designated It The structure will be described, and the reasons for certain features thereof will be then discussed.

The entire unit disclosed in this application is normally positioned at one end of an archery range behind a target face. A suspension board 16 is provided. This board is slanted or inclined from the horizontal, sloping downwardly along the path of the arrow, as is best shown in FIGURE 2. A plurality of apertures 16A are provided in this board, extending in a regular spaced relationship from left to right, as is best shown in FIGURE 1, and from front to back, as its best shown in FIGURE 2. Through each of these apertures a wire or cord 14 is passed. Each wire or cord 14 is held in its aperture MA by means of an expanded portion 143 at the top thereof, above the upper surface of the suspension board 16. This expanded portion can be a knot, or some convenient equivalent structure such as a washer.

The front row of pads will be considered first. The cords 14 suspending the front row of pads are the only ones illustrated in FIGURE 1, to avoid making the drawing hopelessly confused.

In the embodiment shown in'FIGURE 1, each of the cords 14 in the front row are the same length, and each adjacent pair of such cords each suspend a separate pad 12. In FIGURE 1, various pads in the entire array are identified at random by reference numeral 12, but it is understood that each pad is thus identified. A front pad, for example, is one in the upper left corner of FIGURE 1, bounded by shade lines at the right side and bottom. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, a pair of holes 12A are provided in each pad 12, near the top thereof, and so spaced that a cord 14 running from aperture :lA drops directly to the corresponding hole 12A in a pad 12.

As shown, there is a little space, or gap, between the adjacent pads in the front row. This gap is covered by providing a staggered or offset row behind the front now, as is perhaps best shown in FIGURE 3, wherein the front row is the bottom-most set of pads 1'2 and the staggered set of pads is that immediately above the bottom-most set. The center of each pad of the staggered row is positioned to be as near as may be behind the center of the gaps or openings between the pads of the front row. As best shown in FIGURE 2, the staggered row is at the same horizontal level as the front row of pads. This means that the set of suspension cords 14 for this staggered row are somewhat shorter than those holding the front row of pads. This described front and offset v row together are considered a set, in this case, the first set.

The remarks concerning the suspension and spacing of the front row and its staggered row, making a set, are generally applicable to the succeeding sets which make up the entire array. Another set of pads 12 is provided behind the first set. This, another or second set, is suspended so that the top of each pad therein is slightly higher than the bottom of the pads in the front row, so that no vertical gap exists. In FIGURE 1, the topmost reference numeral 12 identifies the middle pad in the front row of the second set. In this patent, the first set is considered to be the front row of pads plus its offset or-staggered row at the same level. The second set is considered to be the next set of pads at a lower level, comprising front pads and a row of offset or staggered pads. The structure described above in connection with the first and second sets is then repeated with the same general structure as many times as is necessary to provide a desirable vertical dimension for the backstop array. In the same manner, as many pads in side-by-side relation as desired may be provided to obtain the necessary width of the array.

The lower end of each cord 14 extends through a hole 12A and is retained there by an expanded portion 14A, which can typically be a knot or a washer, or some equivalent structure.

It is desirable to have all the suspension cords 14 as near to one given length as possible. It is possible to do this except for the slight difference between the front row and the offset row of each set. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 2, the degree of slope of the suspension board 16 is chosen so that only two separate lengths of cords 14 are required for the entire array (the two different lengths existing respectively for the front and offset rows of any set). This equality of cord length is a preferable condition.

An arrow 18 is shown impacting a pad 12. After said impact, the displaced position of the pad and its cord are shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2. The point of impact of arrow 18 is the same in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3.

In the embodiment of FIGURES l, 2, and 3, each pad 12 has a double suspension. This inhibits the pad from spinning or turning wildly to the left or right of the centre line, if struck by an arrow. It is, therefore, apparent, that any arrow impacting the array will strike one or another of the pads 12 and will swing it backwards with a pendulum action and with a minimum of side twist. It is this imparting of the kinetic energy of the arrow to the pendulum which provides a major portion of the effective energy absorption of the backstop.

In FIGURE 4, an alternate embodiment is disclosed in which only one suspension cord 14 need be provided for each pad 22. This suspension is located at the vertical center line of its pad. The undesirable twisting or rotational motion, which would be induced if an arrow struck to one side or another of the suspension point, is eliminated by Connecting adjacent pads in the given row together at one point with a link 25. This link is preferably somewhat slack, and has some degree of give or elasticity. Thus, the major effect of an arrow striking a pad 22 is to move that particular pad largely in an independent way, as is desirable, but any torqued effect will tend to be inhibited by the restrained force of the link 25 which starts to act on the adjacent pad 22 as rotation starts. Also, if an arrow impacts a pad 22 with a greater than normal force, even if it impacts on the vertical center line, its greater than normal delivery of energy may cause pad 22 to swing back far enough to involve the adjacent pads 22 through their links 25. This, in effect, adds another energy absorption aspect, if required.

Another alternate embodiment relates to the pad itself rather than to the suspension. In FIGURE 1a, pad 12 is shown, provided with the usual pair of holes 12A. In this embodiment, each pad 12. is provided with a slot X running completely through the pad from front to back, but not completely from top to bottom. The slot X starts at the bottom and runs up near the top but not completely through it. The purpose of this slot is to divide the pad so that an impacting arrow is initially presented with less inertial resistance, There is some resilient deflection of that half of the pad struck by the arrow which can take place in time before the pendulum swing of the arrow starts. This, thus, provides another stage in the desirable distributed progress of energy absorption. As has been explained above, this distributed or slow energy absorption is desirable because it protects not only the structure of the arrow but also the structure of the backstop itself. It is apparent that the embodiment of FIGURE 1a is more suitable for use in an array as shown in FIGURES 1, 2, and 3, although it is within the scope of this invention to incorporate a pad, as shown in FIGURE 1a, in a suspension as shown in FIGURE 4. in such an embodiment, however, it would be necessary to provide a center suspension hole instead of the pair of holes 12A, and care must be taken not to weaken the pad too much by the closeness of the hole and the slot X.

For use in service, as described at the beginning of this patent in connection with archery ranges, certain further characteristics have been found to be necessary or highly desirable. The length of the cords 14 should be at least approximately 36-inches. If less, there is too much rigidity and more tendency for the arrow to rebound sharply from the surface. There is also increasing pad damage as the support is shortened.

A suitable dimension for the pads is that of squares 6-inches. on a side. Several compositions of the pad have been found to be suitable. One suitable composition is a pad of hard felt, having a dimension of 6 x 6" x /8, and weighing 5 /2-oz. This is a felt known as a Mexican rock-hard felt. Another suitable pad is one 6" x 7" x A? of nylon mesh bonded between layers of rubber, and weighing about l0-oz.

Another and highly successful pad has dimensions 6" x 6 x A2", and weighs about 3-oz. This is a polycarbonate resin, which is a thermoplastic material. A suitable such resin is that sold under the trademark Lexan by the General Electric Company. It has high impact strength, being capable of withstanding an impact of 12 foot-pounds per inch of notch, and a high tensile yield strength of the order of at least 8,000 psi. at 73.4:5" F.

The foregoing specifications of certain suitable materials suggest the range of desirable properties for the exact class of use for which this invention is primarily intended. It is apparent that if departures from this exact class of use are made, the weights, sizes, lengths of suspension, and nature of materials may be varied to obtain the desirable characteristics. However, this entire approach is particularly and specifically suitable and adapted to use as an archery range backstop means, because of the peculiar and specific problems involved in restraining the flight of arrows, as has been described above.

Referring again to the structure disclosed in the drawings, it is apparent that many departures from the specific disclosed structure may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the exact appearance and structure of the suspension board, and the means by which the suspension cords 14 are afiixed to both the board and the pads may vary widely in obvious kriown ways. For example, the cords could be afilxed to the pads by means'of metal rivets or clips. It is even possible to eliminate the slope suspension board, replacing it with a horizontal suspension member, and simply have the length of the suspension cords 14 increase toward the back. This is'less desirable because more cords depart from the optimum length. Once the optimum length for properly absorbing the arrows kinetic energy is established, it is desirable to have this length, or nearly this length, effectively acting wherever the arrow impacts, to avoid variations in backboard response. It is apparent that the exact size of the pads, their number in both horizontal and vertical directions, and the spacing between them, both laterally and front to back, may also vary, while remaining within the general scope and spirit of the invention. It is possible, if desired, to supply damping means to the suspension of each cord 14. Such damping means for pendulum type structures are well known. It has not been found in experiments that such damping means are required. In pads having frontal dimensions 6" x 6", a slot X extending to [2-inch from the top of the pad has been found satisfactory in the embodiment of FIGURE 1a. The slot X should be wider than the arrow shaft to prevent an arrow lodging in it. A typical shaft may be -inch in diameter and the slot may then suitably be -inch Wide. The offset row of pads should be laterally offset or displaced so that all gaps in the front row are backed up by a pad surface in the offset row.

In general, a pad of the general configuration described herein may be described as a flat hard pad. The combination of the suspension board and cord may be described as suspension means. The entire structure, as disclosed in the drawings, may be described as a backstop. The face that the entire plurality of pads presents to the flight of an arrow may be called the array.

The scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and is not to be limited by the foregoing description and drawings which are intended to be illustrative.

I claim:

1. An archery backstop to smoothly remove the kinetic energy from an arrow impacting thereon and cause a reliable, short, controlled rebound thereof, comprising an array of a plurality of flat hard pads, each said pad having a top and a bottom, each said pad having a frontal area of minor dimensions compared to the frontal area of said array, each said pad suspended by suspension means, said suspension means permitting a pendulum motion of said pad when impacted by an arrow, said plurality of pads including,

(a) a first set of pads, said first set comprising (1) a front row of pads, arranged in side-by-side relationship at the same height, and

(2) an oifset row of pads, behind said front row and at the same height thereof, arranged in sideby-slde relationship but oflfset laterally with respect to the pads of said front row, and

(b) a second set of pads, said second set positioned behind said first set and at a lower height, with the top of each pad of said second set higher than the bottom of each pad of said first set, said second set comprising (1) .a front row of pads, arranged in side-by-side relationship at the same height, and (2) an offset row of pads, behind said front row and at the same height thereof, arranged in sideby-side relationship but offset laterally with respect to the pads of said front row.

2. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 1, wherein said suspension means comprises a suspension board and a plurality of cords suspended therefrom, each said cord connecting one of said pads to said suspension board.

3. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 2, wherein each said cord connecting a said pad in a said'front row is the same length as every other cord connecting every pad in every front row, in any set, and each said cord connecting each said pad in any offset row is the same length as every other cord connecting every other pad in any offset row in any set.

4. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 3, wherein each pad has a vertical center line, and each pad is connected to said suspension board with two of said cords, said cords being connected to said pad on opposite sides of said center line.

5. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 3, wherein each said pad has a vertical center line, and each said pad is suspended by a single one of said cords connected to said vertical center line.

6. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 5, wherein each said pad is connected to its next adjacent pad in the same row by a flexible, loose link.

7. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 3, wherein each said pad has a vertical center line, and a slot extends along a major portion of said vertical center line, but not along its entire length, starting at the bottom of said pad.

8. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 7, wherein each said pad is provided with two of said support cords, equidistantly spaced from said center line on opposite sides thereof.

9. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said cords is approximately at least 36-inches long, and each of said pads has frontal dimensions of approxi mately 6" x 6" and weighs approximately 3-10 02s., being suitable for impact by an arrow weighing up to about 1 oz. and moving at a speed of up to about ZOO-feet per second.

10. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 3, wherein said pad is made of Mexican rock-hard felt.

11. An archery backstop as set forth in claim 3, wherein each pad is made of cured thermoplastic polycarbonate resin.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,166,496 1/16 Torrey 273181 1,677,442 7/28 Hall 273-181 1,719,240 7/29 Scanlan 273181 X 1,965,838 7/34 Hofiiund 273103 X 3,100,115 8/63 Breneman 273 102.4

FOREIGN PATENTS 858,951 12/52 Germany.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ARCHERY BACKSTOP TO SMOOTHELY REMOVE THE KINETIC ENERGY FROM A ARROW IMPACTING THEREON AND CAUSE A RELIABLE, SHORT, CONTROLLED REBOUNG THEREOF, COMPRISING AN ARRAY OF A PLURALITY OF FLAT HARD PADS, EACH SAID PAD HAVING A TOP AND A BOTTOM, EACH SAID PAD HAVING A FRONTAL AREA OF MINOR DIMENSIONS COMPARED TO THE FRONTAL AREA OF SAID ARRAY, EACH SAID PAD SUSPENDED BY SUSPENSION MEANS, SAID SUSPENSION MEANS PERMITTING A PENDULUM MOTION OF SAID PAD WHEN IMPACTED BY AN ARROW, SAID PLURALITY OF PADS INCLUDING, (A) A FIRST SET OF PADS, SAID FIRST SET COMPRISING (1) A FRONT ROW OF PADS, ARRANGED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP AT THE SAME HEIGHT, AND (2) AN OFFSET ROW OF PADS, BEHIND SAID FRONT ROW ANS AT THE SAME HEIGHT THEREOF, ARRANGED IN SIDE- 